PEOPLE saddled with debt in Yorkshire will be the first to be given access to a new national Debt Advice Helpline launched this week.

The helpline has been created by a consortium of leading advice agencies, supported by the DTI, in response to the Government's wish to ensure that all those with debt problems should have access to free sources of unbiased advice appropriate to their needs.

If successful, the service will be rolled out to the rest of England and Wales towards the end of 2006.

The helpline's aim is to provide one simple point of entry for people who do not know where to go or who might otherwise have paid for the advice, enabling those who are struggling to repay their debts to get the free help they need. The initiative is fully supported by creditors.

People phoning the Debt Advice Helpline via 0800 980 2800 will be asked a number of simple questions by a specially trained adviser, allowing them to be referred to the most appropriate source of help. The options include:

Face-to-face counselling, provided by Citizens' Advice Bureau or Advice UK members

Debt repayment plans, provided by Consumer Credit Counselling Service or Payplan

Debt counselling by phone, provided by National Debtline.

All these organisations will continue to develop their existing services as well as supporting those clients who reach them via the Debt Advice Helpline.

Welcoming the initiative, Gerry Sutcliffe, Minister for Consumer Affairs, said: "Excessive debt can cause misery to families, which is why the Government is committed to tackling over-indebtedness. This initiative complements the £45 million committed to creating a step change in face-to-face debt advice. It will make a huge difference to those who are most in need of support."

The helpline will be open from 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday.

Updated: 09:59 Thursday, March 02, 2006